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Home Painting Tips – Types of Finishes

Thinking of painting rooms in your home? Read this information before opening a can of paint:

Flat, High Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Eggshell and Satin
Flat paint has no shine to it and an all-gloss paint is very shiny. In between are other finishes. Here is a guide to help you select the type of finish you need for your paint project:

High Gloss – Durable and easy to clean, this is a great type of paint for trim, doors and cabinets. This is not a great choice for interior walls. Be sure to prep well as this finish shows every flaw. This is a very durable type of paint.

Semi Gloss – This is a good type of paint for kitchens, baths, chair rails and trim. It is a durable type of paint.

Satin – This type of paint is easy to clean and is good for high-traffic areas such as family rooms, foyers and kids’ bedrooms. It is a durable paint.

Eggshell – This is a no-shine paint finish that is akin in luster to a chicken’s egg. This type of paint is good for walls that are not perfect. It is good in rooms that will be not be scuffed such as the dining or living room. It has a medium durability.

Flat (Matte) – Flat or matte paint hides flaws in walls since it does not reflect light. This type of paint is difficult to clean without removing paint off the wall. This is best used in adult bedrooms or rooms that will not have walls touched. It has medium-low durability.